Abelia plant named &#39;LG01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Abelia  cultivar named ‘LG01’ which is characterized by the combination of a compact, freely-branching growth habit with a generally mounded to semi-upright shape, dense foliage, bright yellow juvenile foliage, yellow-green mature foliage, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to the Australian Plant Breeders Rights application number 2016/052, filed on Feb. 20, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Abelia×grandiflora hybrid.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Abelia disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘LG01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘LG01’ originated as a chemically-induced partial plant mutation of Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ (U.S. Pat. No. 16,988) performed at a plant breeding facility in Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia. In March of 2014, 500 plants of Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ (U.S. Pat. No. 16,988) were treated with Ethyl Methyl Sulphanate, rinsed well, and subsequently evaluated for the occurrence of mutations. Over 20 mutant shoots were identified and propagated. The candidate ‘LG01’ was initially selected for further evaluation in May of 2014 due to its non-variegated bright yellow leaves. Propagation, pot trials and further field trials continued till final selection in 2015.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘LG01’ by way of softwood stem cuttings, was first performed in May of 2014 in Cobbitty, New South Wales, Australia. Through ten subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LG01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘LG01’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘LG01’ as a new and distinct Abelia hybrid cultivar:

-   -   1. Abelia ‘LG01’ exhibits a freely branching, mounded to         semi-upright growth habit with dense foliage; and     -   2. Abelia ‘LG01’ exhibits bright yellow, glossy juvenile         foliage; and     -   3. Abelia ‘LG01’ exhibits yellow-green, glossy mature foliage;         and     -   4. Abelia ‘LG01’ exhibits reddish stems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary 14 month old ‘LG01, field-grown in Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia.

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical juvenile foliage, mature foliage and lateral branch of ‘LG01’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements made in February of 2017 and, unless otherwise indicated, describe a 14 month old potted ‘LG01’ field-grown plant produced in an 8 inch container in Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia. Plants were produced under shade, using conventional production protocols for Abelia which consisted of regular overhead irrigation and controlled-release fertilizer applications. No chemical pest or disease measures were utilized in production.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘LG01’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2001 edition.

A botanical description of ‘LG01’ and a comparison with the parent plant and the most similar commercial Abelia cultivar known to the inventor, is provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub.         -   Plant shape.—Compact; mounded to semi-upright.         -   Average height.—25 cm as observed; approximately 100 cm when             fully matured.         -   Average width.—25 cm as observed; approximately 100 cm when             fully matured.         -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation may be accomplished             by both softwood and hardwood stem cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 21 days are required             to initiate roots from a softwood cutting.         -   Time to produce a marketable rooted cutting.—Approximately             10 to 12 weeks when propagated in the spring.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither             tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of             Abelia have been observed.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Hardy to approximately minus 6             degrees Celsius and tolerant of temperatures to 40 degrees             Celsius. Generally drought tolerant once established. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense             rooting.         -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately             deep.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color, juvenile roots.—Orange-white, nearest to RHS 159C.         -   Color, mature roots.—Greyed-brown, nearest to RHS 165A. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching habit.—One main stem, itself freely branching, and             giving rise to numerous lateral branches.         -   Main stem.—Attitude — Erect. Diameter — 8 mm. Color —             Greyed-orange, RHS 177B. Texture — Fissured.         -   Lateral branches.—Aspect — Semi-erect and arching towards             the distal end. Shape — Rounded. Strength — Weak to             moderately strong. Diameter of lateral branches — Averaging             1.7 mm at the base. Internode length on lateral branches —             Approximately 13 mm. Texture — Smooth. Color — Greyed-red,             RHS 177B. Color at internodes — Orange-red, RHS N34C. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Attachment.—Petiolate.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Foliage density on lateral branch.—Very dense.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 27 mm long and 13 mm wide, on average.             Thickness — Approximately 1 mm at the midrib Shape — Ovate.             Aspect — Involute. Apex — Acuminate. Base — Rounded. Margin             — Crenate. Pubescence, adaxial surface — Glabrous. Texture             and luster of adaxial surface — Smooth and glossy.             Pubescence, abaxial surface — Glabrous. Texture and luster             of abaxial surface — Smooth and moderately glossy. Color —             Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, RHS 151C;             newly emerged foliage is lightly suffused with orange-red,             RHS 31A. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,             RHS 151C. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Green, RHS 138A.             Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green, RHS 139C. Venation             — Pattern — Pinnate. Color, adaxial surface — Green, RHS             138A. Color, abaxial surface — Green, RHS 139C.         -   Petiole.—Length — 3.2 mm. Width — 1.0 mm. Texture —             Glabrous; smooth. Luster — Moderately glossy. Strength —             Strong. Color, adaxial surface — Green, RHS 138A. Color,             abaxial surface — Green, RHS 138A. -   Inflorescence: No flowering has been observed to date. -   Flower buds: No flowering has been observed to date. -   Flower: No flowering has been observed to date. -   Reproductive organs: Not observed. -   Seed and fruit: Not observed. -   Comparison with the parent: Plants of the new cultivar ‘LG01’ may be     distinguished from its parent, Abelia ‘Kaleidoscope’ (U.S. Pat. No.     16,988), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘LG01’ ‘Kaleidoscope’ Presence of leaf Absent. Present. variegation. General coloration Golden yellow; Green at and near the midrib of the juvenile newly emerged and broadly margined with foliage in spring foliage is lightly light yellow-green; newly and summer. suffused with emerged foliage is lightly orange-red. suffused with orange-red. General coloration Golden yellow; Green at and near the midrib of the juvenile newly emerged and broadly margined with a foliage in fall and foliage is lightly combination of dark greyed- early winter. suffused with orange and orange-red. orange-red. General coloration Light green. Intermediate foliage is dark of the mature green at and near the midrib foliage. and broadly margined with light yellow-green; occasionally suffused with greyed-orange to orange-red.

-   Comparison with the closest known commercial comparator: Plants of     the new cultivar ‘LG01’ may be distinguished from the most similar     known commercial comparator, Abelia ‘Saxon Gold’ (U.S. Pat. No.     15,178), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘LG01’ ‘Saxon Gold’ General coloration of Bright yellow; newly A combination of the juvenile foliage in emerged foliage is chartreuse and copper; spring and summer. lightly suffused with lightly suffused with orange-red. orange-red. General coloration of Yellow-green. A combination of the mature foliage. chartreuse and copper. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Abelia plant named ‘LG01’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 